Page 134 of Boulder's Weight

My heart hammers against my ribs at the sight of her—hurt but alive, so beautifully alive.

Four men with guns form a perimeter around her.

And standing beside her, one hand resting on her shoulder in a mockery of affection, is Benji. This dumb fucker.

He looks remarkably ordinary at first glance—average height, well-dressed in dark jeans and a button-down shirt, his hair neatly combed.

But his eyes are empty, flat like a shark's, assessing me.

"Right on time," he says, his voice the same controlled tone from the phone. "And surprisingly alone. I'm impressed by your obedience, prospect."

"Let her go," I say, stepping further into the warehouse, counting guards, noting positions, identifying cover. "You've got me. That's what you wanted."

Benji smiles, the expression never reaching his eyes. "So eager. But I think we have some things to discuss first." His hand tightens on Kelsey's shoulder, making her wince. "Family matters."

I can see bruising forming on Kelsey's cheek, dried blood at the corner of her mouth, and something in me shifts—a primal rage I've always kept carefully controlled.

In that moment, I don't care about club protocol or what I should be doing.

All I want to do is tear this man apart with my bare hands.

"Touch her again and I'll kill you where you stand," I say, my voice deadly calm.

Benji laughs, genuinely amused. "Bold words from a man surrounded by guns." He gestures around the warehouse. "Do you think you're the first to threaten me?"

"Boulder, don't listen to him," Kelsey speaks up, "He's working with Andrés and Sally Bernard. They're planning something bigger than just me."

Benji's hand lashes out, striking her across the face. "I didn't give you permission to speak."

I lunge forward instinctively, only stopping when four guns train on me simultaneously.

My vision turns crimson with rage, every muscle in my body ready to attack.

"Careful now," Benji warns. "This doesn't have to end with both of you dead. In fact, I have a proposition."

"Not interested," I growl.

"You should be," he replies smoothly. "Because right now, your club is scattered across Chihuahua, desperately searching for their missing enforcer and prospect. But only I know where they are."

This catches my attention, though I keep my expression neutral.

If Benji knows where Python and Lashes are being held, extracting that information could save them.

"What's the proposition?" I ask, playing along.

Benji smiles, pleased to have my attention. "Simple. You walk away. Leave my sister to me. In exchange, I tell you where to find your club members."

"And I'm supposed to trust you'd honor that deal?"

"Honor among thieves," Benji says with a shrug. "Or in this case, criminals. Your club, my family business—we're not so different."

"We're nothing alike," I spit. "The club has lines it doesn't cross."

"Everyone has lines until they're desperate enough," Benji counters. "Did Cady tell you what our father's business really involved? What made her betray her own blood?"

I keep my expression neutral, though internally I'm seething. "She told me enough to know you belong in the ground next to him."

Something dark flashes across Benji's face—the first real emotion I've seen from him. "Our father is still very much alive, though your precious Cady did her best to destroy him. And when I bring her home, his last wish before cancer takes him will be fulfilled."

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